U.S. Edges China as Biggest Market for Bentley Cars

The U.S. and China are in a heated battle – to determine which will be the biggest market for Bentleys.

The English luxury-car unit of German giant Volkswagen AG, said its worldwide sales for the first half of 2012 rose 32% to 3,929 cars, driven in part by a nearly 26% increase in U.S. sales to 1,140 cars. That was enough to push the States past China and back into the number-one position as the biggest market for Bentley sales.

It’s a close race, though. China had the lead after the first quarter. Its sales for the six months rose about 56% to 1,059 cars.

“Our half year results show strong growth for Bentley in every single global region. The competition between the Americas and China continues and we are watching closely to see who will emerge as the largest region in 2012, said Wolfgang Duerheimer, Bentley’s chief executive.

The car maker said its top-of-the-line Mulsanne was a strong seller in both markets and its results increased 30% overall, driven in part by sales of new Diamond Jubilee Special Edition and Mulliner Driving Specification versions of the car. Sales of the lower-priced (but still expensive) Continental GT rose about 49%. The availability of a V8 engine in addition to the Continental’s long-running W12 motor.

Bentley said sales in Europe were up 23% to 607, and up 48% in the Middle East, 53% in the Asia Pacific market and more than doubled in Japan.